Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. In 1991, Le W Finks wrote about the need for librarianship to develop a new code of ethics. In 1995, the ALA did just that. A perusal of the code leads to the conclusion that perhaps not all of his concerns were incorporated. Essential to Finks thesis is the belief tahat a code of ethics for librarians and information professionals must not be a hallow statement written to satisfy the public library boards. It must embody the principles and conviction that librarians have historically considered of value, and should "Focus on the way we don our work and whether or not we perform in a way that can honestly be called professional". Furthermore, as Johan Bekkar points out, since society judges a profession by its individual member, all members must follow a clearly defined set of ethical standards. In particular ethical issues related to selection of materials and intellectual freedom should be carefully considered by librarians. Intellctual freedom hinges on the assumption that individuals choose the path their inquires take but this is often a false assumption. Professional codes require librarians to remain neutral and to provide the information a client request. Librarians should set aside their assumption and prejudices to make sure they won't destroy the fundamental principle that underlies librarianship: the socail obligation to allow access to all perspectives.
Who wrote about the needs for the code of ethics?
Lee W Finks
Understanding the Need for a Librarian's Code of Ethics
The question asks to identify the person who wrote about the need for librarianship to develop a new code of ethics based on the provided passage.
To answer this question, we need to carefully read the passage and locate the information related to the origin or impetus for a new code of ethics for librarians.
Analyzing the Passage for the Answer
Let's examine the key sentences in the passage:
- "In 1991, Le W Finks wrote about the need for librarianship to develop a new code of ethics."
- "In 1995, the ALA did just that."
- "A perusal of the code leads to the conclusion that perhaps not all of his concerns were incorporated."
- "Essential to Finks thesis is the belief tahat a code of ethics for librarians and information professionals must not be a hallow statement..."
The very first sentence explicitly states who wrote about the need for a new code of ethics for librarianship. It identifies the year and the person.
Identifying the Author
The sentence "In 1991, Le W Finks wrote about the need for librarianship to develop a new code of ethics" directly answers the question. The author who wrote about this need is specified as Le W Finks.
Evaluating the Options
Let's look at the given options:
- Lee W Finks
- American Library Association
- Johan Bekker
- Lee Kekker
Comparing the information from the passage with the options:
- Option 1: "Lee W Finks" matches the name mentioned in the passage as the person who wrote about the need for the code.
- Option 2: "American Library Association" (ALA) is mentioned as the body that developed the code in 1995, not the one who wrote about the *need* for it in 1991.
- Option 3: "Johan Bekker" is mentioned later in the passage in relation to how society judges a profession, not for writing about the initial need for the code.
- Option 4: "Lee Kekker" is not mentioned in the passage.
Therefore, based on the clear statement in the passage, Lee W Finks is the correct answer.
Conclusion
The passage directly attributes the writing about the need for a new code of ethics for librarianship to Le W Finks in 1991.
| Entity | Role/Action in Passage |
|---|---|
| Le W Finks | Wrote about the need for a new code of ethics (1991) |
| ALA (American Library Association) | Developed the code of ethics (1995) |
| Johan Bekker | Discussed society judging a profession by its members |
Revision Table: Librarian Code of Ethics
| Concept | Key Point from Passage |
|---|---|
| Initiation of need for code | Le W Finks wrote about the need in 1991. |
| Development of code | ALA developed the code in 1995. |
| Purpose of code | Must not be a hollow statement; embody historical principles; focus on professional work performance. |
| Importance of adherence | All members must follow standard ethical standards as society judges the profession by individuals (Johan Bekker's point). |
| Specific ethical issues | Selection of materials, intellectual freedom, neutrality, providing requested information. |
| Core principle | Social obligation to allow access to all perspectives (underlying intellectual freedom). |
Additional Information: Library Ethics and Intellectual Freedom
Ethical standards are crucial for the library and information science profession. A code of ethics provides guidelines for professional conduct and decision-making.
- Intellectual Freedom: This is a cornerstone principle in librarianship. It asserts that users should have the right to access information from all points of view without censorship or restriction. Librarians play a vital role in protecting this right.
- Neutrality and Objectivity: The passage highlights the importance of librarians remaining neutral and setting aside personal biases or prejudices. This is essential to ensure equitable access to information for all users, regardless of their views or the content they seek.
- Professional Accountability: Codes of ethics help establish accountability within the profession. By adhering to a defined set of standards, librarians demonstrate their commitment to serving the public interest and upholding the values of the profession.
- Evolution of Ethics: As noted by Le W Finks' call for a new code, ethical considerations in librarianship evolve with changes in technology, information access, and societal expectations. Codes are often reviewed and updated to address contemporary challenges.
Important Questions from Library & Information Profession
Who pointed out that society judges a profession by its individual members?
Who should set aside their assumption and prejudices to make sure they won't destroy the fundamental principles?
Which of the following is essential to 'Finks' thesis?
In which year, did ALA develop the code of ethics?
Given below are two statements, one is labeled as Assertion A, and other one labeled as Reason R
Assertion A: In the present online environment, there is no need for librarians to evaluate reference sources on the web.
Reason R: There are publications that help librarians to select and evaluate the reference collection for a particular library in print or online.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below
